Packwood signs extension with Birmingham City

U.S. youth international defender Will Packwood will spend at least one more year with Birmingham City.

The 21-year-old, who joined the club’s academy in 2007 as a 14-year-old, has signed a one-year extension with the Blues that includes an additional one-year option. The news is impressive considering that Packwood only returned last season from a serious leg injury in 2013 that kept him off the pitch for more than 10 months.

Packwood has made 20 appearances for the Championship side since debuting for the first team in 2011. The Massachusetts native spent last season on loan to League Two side Bristol City, where he made eight appearances as he regained his match fitness following the severe double leg break. After the loan, Packwood returned to Birmingham City and started 12 games in central defense and defensive midfield.

Internationally, Packwood has appeared for the U.S. U-17, U-18 and U-20 youth national teams. The defender was called up to the senior team by Jurgen Klinsmann for a March friendly against Ukraine, but was an unused substitute.

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What do you think of Packwood’s extension? Glad to see him back with Birmingham?

He was only a starter for a few weeks and lost the job. In addition, BCFC has brought in at least one new central defender (maybe 2) in this transfer window so Packwood has no guarantee of a starting position and he is going to have to fight for a spot. He didn’t sign before he left for break and I believe his agent was checking out other opportunities to see if he could do better. I suspect that he wanted a one year contract in order to see how it goes and whether he gets the playing time he needs. He clearly wants to play a role for the USA and needs playing time for that to happen.